“We are extremely honored to be representing Hiro’s hand-crafted Sake brands, and look forward to building the awareness and presence of this exquisite ultra-premium brand. To date, sake as a category has been very under-represented in travel retail and on the cruise lines, and we see an exciting opportunity to create a whole new refreshing category for Hiro Blue and Hiro Red Sake drinks and usage, especially on the cruise lines, and with Hiro Gold in travel retail,” commented Chase Donaldson, President of Chase International.

Hiro Gold, an ultra-premium sake known as Junmai Daiginjo sake, is crafted from 100% Koshi-Tanrei sake rice and is produced in limited quantities only once a year by Hiro’s Toji (master brewer). Hiro Gold is not available in Japan, and is exclusive to US and European Travel Retail with a suggested retail price of $100.00 (15% alc./vol.; 720ml).

Hiro Gold was the recent winner of a Double Gold Medal at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition and joins the portfolio of Hiro Blue and Hiro Red, that have been growing double digits since their introduction six years ago, and are now available in over half the US domestically.

Hiro sake are handcrafted at the Brewery Taiyo Shuzo, established in 1635 in the Niigata Prefecture. Hiro Blue junmai ginjo (15% ABV) is available in 720ml and 300ml bottles with a suggested retail price of $40.00/$20.00, and Hiro Red ginjo (15% ABV) is available in 720ml and 300ml bottles with a suggested retail price of $30.00/$16.00. Hiro Red and Hiro Blue can be used in an infinite number of cocktails, standing in for vodka, rum or gin and with only half the alcohol of traditional spirits, says the company. Hiro is only 39 calories/ounce, additive- and preservative-free, gluten-free (made with rice), histamine- and allergen-free (no allergic reactions) and has 1/3 the acidity of wine (making it easier on the stomach).

Hiro Sake won additional accolades at the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition including a Double Gold Medal for Hiro Blue (2015) and named ‘BEST OF NATION’ from Japan, the highest award bestowed.

“As we celebrate our sixth anniversary of the U.S. launch of Hiro Sake, we are excited to partner with Chase International, due to their long-standing expertise and strong reputation building super and ultra-premium brands in the US Travel Retail and Caribbean markets, says Carlos Arana, co-founder and CEO of Hiro Sake LLC. “We have grown double digits every year since 2011 and this year we are looking forward to expanding the presence of Hiro Gold, and the ultra-premium Sake category, into US Travel Retail and internationally.”